Health

The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Thursday, January 6, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. Blood drives are held every month in Waukon. The LifeServe Blood Center of Iowa supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with its blood and blood products.

The LifeServe Blood Center of Iowa is seeking donors to ensure a safe and plentiful blood supply in Iowa. Because there is no substitute for human blood, the need for donors is continuous. Many Iowans are encouraged to make donating blood on a regular basis their New Year’s resolution this year.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health will be offering another walk-in clinic for the booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Wednesday, December 29, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the ICN Conference Room located on the southeast side of the hospital. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be available. Park along the orange cones along the golf course for easy access to the vaccine location.

Flu shots will also be available and can be safely administered at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine.

With COVID-19 cases on the rise in this area, many are caring for someone at home who has been diagnosed with the virus. The following is a list of ways to care for and support those sick at home with COVID-19 from the CDC:

Provide Support
• See if over-the-counter medicines for fever help the person feel better
• Make sure the person who is sick drinks a lot of fluids and rests

Watch for warning signs
• Call their doctor if the person keeps getting sicker.
• For medical emergencies, call 911 and tell the dispatcher that the person has or might have COVID-19.

All visitors to Veterans Memorial hospital are again restricted in an effort to stop the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus within the community. In the event of a special circumstance, such as a terminal patient, family members may call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411 and speak with the charge nurse.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will continue to post updates through the local newspapers and radio stations as well as the hospital’s Facebook page and website at www.veteransmemorialhospital.com.

Veterans Memorial Hospital’s Urgent Care is held every Monday-Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Urgent Care will not be available Christmas Day or New Year’s Day. This holiday season, Urgent Care will be offered at the following days and times:         

• December 24: Christmas Eve, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• December 25: Christmas Day, Closed - No Urgent Care
• December 31: New Years Eve, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• January 1: New Years Day, Closed - No Urgent Care.

Urgent Care is designed for treating injuries or illnesses requiring immediate care, but not serious enough to require an emergency department visit.

The flu has hit Iowa, but there is still time for immunization. Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care continues to offer flu shots every Wednesday afternoon by appointment. Appointments can be made by calling 563-568-5660.

COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines may be administered at the same visit, on the same day. For example, COVID-19 vaccines can safely and effectively be administered the same time as the flu vaccines.

The cost for a flu shot is covered by Medicare. Billing for vaccinations will be completed by the Community and Home Care staff, but participants will need to bring their physician’s name and their Medicare number or private insurance card with them. Those who do not have insurance that covers these vaccines can also pay for them; however, the COVID-19 vaccine is free.

How many know that one pint of whole blood can save up to three lives? The next local LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Thursday, January 6, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. Blood drives are held every month in Waukon, allowing for more donors to give.

LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with its blood and blood products.

Anyone who lives to the age of 72 will have a 95% probability of needing blood or blood products at sometime in their life, so blood donors are greatly needed.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Ben Kerndt by Joan Bieber, Mary Ann Hager, Jim and Jill Kiesau, Ardie Kuhse, Mike and Sue McMillan, Eric and Stephanie Palmer, Norbert and Nola Palmer, Gloria Sander and Linda Thompson.

Memorials were also received in memory of Bugsy Burroughs by Ernie and Donnalee Osland.

Memorials and donations are appreciated by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation.  The Foundation is a 501C3 organization. All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible. Memorials and donations can be sent to 40 First Street SE, Waukon, IA  52172.
 

Another generous donation was recently received for the new Veterans Memorial Hospital Medical Clinic. A gift of $5,000 was given by Peoples State Bank. Pictured above, left to right, at the main entrance to the Medical Clinic is Kristy Gaunitz, RN; Amanda Swenson, Scribe; Paige Cota, CMA; Laura Baxter, RN, Clinic Director; Shelle Fogt, LPN; Michael Coyle, CEO, all of the Veterans Memorial Hospital Clinic; and Dan Headington, Senior Credit Analyst; Dennis Lyons, Agricultural Relationship Manager-Vice President,  and Clem Schulte, Chief Credit Officer, all of Peoples State Bank. Nearly $500,000 has been raised for the renovations to the clinic building and equipment purchased. The clinic has been open since May 3 and has served over 4,500 visits to date. All gifts to the Foundation are tax deductible. Anyone with any questions about the campaign or Foundation is invited to call the hospital at 563-568-3411. Submitted photo.
 

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health will be offering another walk-in clinic for the booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine Friday, December 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the ICN Conference Room located on the southeast side of the hospital. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be available. Park along the orange cones along the golf course for easy access to the vaccine location.

A booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccination is now available for anyone who wishes to receive it, age five and up. It must also be at least six months from their last dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. These clinics are walk-in clinics. Those attending do not have to call ahead to make an appointment. Everyone should wear a mask and bring their vaccination card with them for updating.